Venture Capital High-Tech Investments

Abstract

To what extent can we predict the success of enterprises in which venture capitalists invest? This study examines 117 venture-capital-backed companies in the Internet, software, hardware, and semiconductor industries that had initial public offerings between 1994 and 1997. The authors consider strategic and operating criteria, including management. Findings reveal that these companies&' market capitalization correlated with quality of management, R&D expenses, sales revenue, sales revenue growth, industry segment, and the life-cycle stage of the industry.